July 2020 chemo club

Anna, I did the same thing with my little one! I think it helped him be less afraid of mommy not having any hair! I am completely bald now, as I decided to clean shave what was left, and feel so much better! I actually started walking around the house with nothing on my head because the headscarves were making me too hot! I think everyone is pretty used to the way I look now, although I can't WAIT until my hair starts growing back, lol. Short (or bald) is just not for me.

Tryryan, my second infusion was also worse than my first as far as side effects go. Everything seemed to last longer than the first time, but once i hit week 3 I felt better than I did on week 3 of my first round.

I had my 3rd round yesterday and feel great so far. I know what is coming, but I am trying to just enjoy feeling good while I can! I have done about zero exercise these past few weeks because it's been too hot to go outside. And I'm not comfortable in public without a wig on and there is NO way I'm exercising with a wig on my head. So I ordered a stationary bike for my basement and I love it so far! It helps me stay active, which I hope will help with SEs, and I don't have to worry about leaving my house!

How have you ladies been doing with exercise?

Yes! I can't agree more - I am in awe of the younger mothers who are parenting through chemo. True that we don't know how strong we are, until we need to be.

To those suffering through diarrhea with their chemo - my heart goes out to you. It is so dehydrating and takes a toll on the body. Prayers going up!

I am scheduled for an early morning (9:15) blood draw and then MO visit, then chemo at 11:45 ... my 3rd round of AC. This cycle has been tough, between the migraines last week and just the general lack of energy this week...I am dreading tomorrow. I wish I could have a few more days of "normal". My hair really started falling out on Day 3 of this cycle, so I'm almost bald. I discovered that if I wear a beanie to sleep, my head doesn't bother me nearly as much during the day. I guess my "noggin" doesn't appreciate the A/C as much as the rest of my body. LOL!

I wish I could be more active in this group - but I really just haven't had the energy and Days 1-4, my brain fog, difficulty concentrating and my cross-eyed vision just make it so tough to keep up. I love catching up as I work toward the end of the cycle and see that everyone is doing "well" overall.

I hope today is a pleasant day for everyone and you have a nice weekend, too.

Iamloved, great to read you do not have the lower g.i. problem this time. I hope the nausea, fatigue and numbness in your toes are better soon.

Kimintx, sorry to read your infusion was postponed.

Smichaels11, great to read your infusion went well.

Melbo, I agree with you about being in awe of the women going through this with children at home! I am glad to read the Imodium is helping your g.i. side effect.

AnnaTheBrave, how are you feeling since your second infusion? Great idea to have your 5-year old cut your hair! You turned what is often frightening and confusing for children into a fun experience. Great to read that a couple other mothers here included their children, too.

Trynryan, how are you feeling now? Sorry to read that you are having a rough time with the side effects.

BlusteryDay, thinking about you as you go for your third infusion today. Sorry to read you are having a rough time with the side effects and those awful migraines.

Mtspacekace and others, sorry to read many of you are struggling with liquid intake.

Nottoday, thinking about you as you go for your infusion today.

Lamloved - to answer your questions I will have scans to check progress after I finish 4 infusions of my AC treatments. Then I will start the next regiment which includes Herceptin. I have done three infusions so far and meeting my surgeon in a week’s time. But she will need to see the final results after I complete all chemo which means in another 17 weeks to agree the surgery options.

Good morning, all,

I’m on day 4 of round 2, and so far it’s sort of “second verse, same as the first, a little bit louder and a little bit worse!” Nothing awful, just a little worse (more tired, more crampy, more irritable) than I felt during the first round. I’m hoping that my low point, which was days 6-8, isn’t drastically lower than the first round. Tingling in my hands and feet seems more persistent this time.

During each round, I come back about a week after chemo for hydration and during that appointment I alternate between meeting with my MO and her PA, both of whom I love (met with MO before treatment, met with PA after round 1, will meet with MO next week). On the morning of my third infusion (scheduled for 9/3, after they draw the blood work but before I get hooked up), I’ll meet with my BS for an ultrasound measurement. This appointment has been talked up to me as a big deal and a “feel-good moment” for everyone (because they expect the treatment to be effective). I imagine that they will determine a schedule for future imaging tests at that point—like, I think if it hasn’t shrunk “enough,” then at a certain point he might recommend mastectomy?

Hello Everyone!

Just an update. I could not get my Chemo last week so I went in for my injection instead to boost my WBC. I had an appointment my doctor and she asked me if I felt my lump yet. I told her no because I was to scared. She told me to put on a gown and she was going to come back and have a look at the lump. So, as I put on my gown , I briefly skimmed the lump and I did not feel anything like I did before. I just thought it was all in my mind. Well, she came in and felt it and she could hardly feel it anymore . It was a 4 MM to her barely feeling it to a 1 or it could even be breast tissue and the lymph node was not swollen. The doctor seemed very pleased and excited. So, finally good news. We are not going to focus on the breast surgery just yet. We need to focus on the liver first. She mentioned having scans again soon. Ugh. I dread that!

I think I have decided to finally get my hair shaved this weekend. It is falling out constantly. I do not mind it but I just think it will hit me that I will look sick. I have not felt bad or have any bad side effects from my Chemo. (as of yet)

I love to hear all of yall's great and uplifting stories. Prayers for each of you.

Thank you. Just taking it one day at a time!

I go in for #3 tomorrow morning, and am feeling anxious and kind of scared...which I really have not had the past 2 times. I love my nurses, and trust them completely...but the fact that I’ve had 2 reactions to the Perjeta just has me nervous. The second time was much worse than the first...the heaviness in my chest and difficulty breathing is not fun. I’m having this awful thought that it’s going to be so bad I quit breathing this time. They are going to premed me with Pepcid and Benedryl this time...where the first 2 times they did not...so I’m hoping and praying for no reaction and a nice nap. It’s also my second anniversary tomorrow. And I shaved my head tonight...I’m just really super emotional tonight after looking at pictures from 2 years ago and of my shaved head.

Yayaya. It’s beautiful bald. But I’m still mad. I guess, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, and I’m not dead yet! I wonder how many years it’s going to take me to get my hair back lol...ill also never everthreaten my hairdresser that I’m going to shave my head. Ever again.
I need to put my positive pants back on, and wake up and lace up and get on with it. But sometimes I guess you just need a good cry and to feel sorry for yourself. Thanks for listening ladies.

Mtspacecace I hope your infusion is going well without issues today! I am right behind you with #3 on Thursday. I am finally feeling better the last few days. On Saturday I went on a 3.8 mile hike- it felt so good at the time but I was totally wiped out on Sunday. I need to learn to moderate my activities, even when I am feeling good.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Hi ladies! I had my 2nd infusion of AC yesterday. I was pretty worried after my ANC count was only 640 a week ago. It bounced back and then some to 13,000! I was worried then it was too high. My MO explained that the Neulasta works for 2-3 weeks and so no worries. Feeling pretty good again. A little fatigue and heartburn are my only SEs so far

Shauna - sorry to hear about the additional testing and delay in your chemo. Hope everything comes out ok and that the delay is short. It must be frustrating.

Trynryan - good luck on Thurs. Great job with the hike! My MO was just telling me yesterday how important it is to keep moving. He had a cute saying but I can’t remember it now.

Mtspacekace - I hope you’re feeling better. I’ve heard from several women that losing their hair was devastating so you’re definitely not alone there.

I buzzed my hair on Sunday as well. Actually my 13 yr old daughter did it with some help from my husband. My 16 yr old son wanted nothing to do with it other than to watch. My husband is shocked how much he likes me with short hair. I may have to experiment with some short ‘dos when this is all said and done. The loss of hair didn’t bother me but I know losing eyelashes/brows will! I’m hoping they just thin out 🤞

I haven’t really checked in here much the last couple of day, mainly because I finally started feeling better and was busy doing a few things around the house and hanging out with my husband. I still take Imodium every day, but that seems to control everything and I am usually taking one or two nausea pills by the afternoon. Mostly though I feel a lot closer to normal and I have been enjoying that feeling a lot.

SMichaels — so sorry to hear about the complications and delays. That sucks so much.

Mtspacekace — glad giving the Benadryl ahead of time made such a difference with the Perjeta.

Brittonkp - I’m sorry you’re sad about your hair. It’s just one more bs thing about this whole cancer nightmare. I still haven’t gotten to cutting mine, but it’s slowly starting to fall out now so I’m not far from it.

Hi there,

I haven't checked in for a while. Going into TC #3 of 4 this Friday. 'Down the rabbit hole we go...'

I was feeling good for the past week, and we even took a quick getaway to some airbnb place in Sonoma. It was nice and a much needed change of scenery, except we've had a 108 degree heat wave, followed by thunder storms, which together caused the fires all over California that you are hearing of on the news. So for the past couple of days the air here smells like smoke and you can see some ash bits on the cars.

After I felt great on our getaway, I got on the scale and looked at some photos and it finally hit me how bad I look. My hair is very thin on top (cold capping is working so-so), I think I'm getting moon-faced from the steroids and I've gained 5 pounds. My weight has been zigzagging so much every cycle, I drop 7 pounds on weeks I feel bad and then gain it all and a bit more on the weeks I feel good. And It will be harder to lose it when it all ends because of the hormonal treatment. Ugh.

This cycle will probably be harder than the previous ones, now my boys (7,9) are home for distance learning and need my support and help daily. I hope my side effect are like last time, so I can at least pick myself up a bit every day to help them out.

I was glad to read about some of your tumor reductions, great news! I hope everyone else is also doing ok.

@Kmom57 - good luck tomorrow. If it help - my second was easier than my first cycle. Knowing what to expect helped and managing the meds better too. I also feel like it was less intense, but that might be in my head. I hope this cycle will go easy for you.

In the chair. Has not started well. Pretty anxious. Not feeling confident.